->'''Bashir:''' Miles... it's working. I've had a vision, about the future. I can see it so clearly.\\'''Miles:''' What is it?\\'''Bashir:''' I'm gonna kill Worf. I'm gonna kill Worf. That's what I'm gonna do. I can see it clearly now, I'm going to kill... him...-->Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine

Especially prevalent in TheNineties, this is when a character goes on a spiritual [[JourneyToFindOneself journey of self-discovery]]. The character is forced to confront his subconscious or seek guidance from his {{Spirit Advisor}}s in the form of some kind of pseudo-DreamSequence, possibly AdventuresInComaland. At times it is debatable whether the events actually take place or not. While on this journey the character may meet animal guides, dead people, ancestors, shamans, be forced to engage in some type of physical or mental trial, and will most likely experience a moment of revelation about him or herself which leads to making an important life decision.

The name is taken from the "vision quest" sacrament practiced by many Native American peoples. The best known is probably the Lakotah ''hanbleceya'' which is described in ''Literature/BlackElkSpeaks''.

[[AC:Anime and Manga]]* The Waterfall of Truth in ''{{Naruto}}'' brings out a person's darker emotions and forces them to confront their own insecurities. It acts as a ThresholdGuardian for jinchurikis seeking to master their bijuu; without first conquering their own dark side, they're vulnerable to the beast.

[[AC:ComicBooks]]* Done several times in ''ElfQuest'':** After failing for the first time to save someone, Leetah stabs herself in the stomach to force a VisionQuest and gain more control over her healing powers.** Most Wolfriders go on Vision Quests of varying intensity to discover their Soul Names as part of becoming an adult. Goodtree's VisionQuest is described in her short story collection.** Some magically able elves, such as Savah and Suntop, do this on a regular basis, called "going out." Suntop eventually decides to go on a perpetual VisionQuest and leave his body behind for years at a time, interrupted only to be with his lifemate. * Jesse from ''{{Preacher}}''. Twice if you count the voodoo session.* Famously done in Creator/GrantMorrison's run of ''Comicbook/AnimalMan'' has the titular hero go on a peyote-fuelled VisionQuest. This expands his consciousness to the point where he briefly becomes aware of the reader, looking out of the page and shouting "I SEE YOU!"* "Echo: Vision Quest", a StoryArc in ''Comicbook/{{Daredevil}}'' comics, which focussed on... er... [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a character called Echo undergoing a vision quest]].* Joshua undergoes the Sun Dance ritual after he is granted his mystical powers in ''ComicBook/ShamansTears''.

[[AC:FanWorks]]* The ''FanFic/PonyPOVSeries'' has multiple occasions of Applejack looking into [[GateOfTruth the Truth]], seeing the past, the present, possible futures, and {{Alternate Universe}}s. The first time, it's to help her cope with Discord's MindRape, and she comes away with her [[LivingLieDetector truth vision]]. The second time, it's to help stabilize that ability so that she's not at risk of [[spoiler: becoming [[SuperPoweredEvilSide Nightmare Mirror]]]]. And we get to see [[BadFuture Liarjack]] do this as well, which helps her from Discord's control.

[[AC:{{Film}}]]* Jim Morrison is depicted as having a literal vision quest in the Oliver Stone ''Film/TheDoors'' Film.* That scene is then parodied in ''Film/WaynesWorld''.* In ''Film/{{Hidalgo}}'' Frank, raised as a traditional Hunkpapa Lakotah, has a vision of himself with his mother. It's a death vision, not one deliberately sought in the manner of traditional ''hanbleceya''. But Frank and his horse can be said to be on a sort of vision quest -- very loosely speaking -- by participating in the Ocean of Fire race at all.* In the ''Franchise/StarWars'' universe, every padawan must undergo a "Trial of the Spirit", before they can earn the rank of Jedi. This trial often takes the form of a Vision Quest:** In ''The Empire Strikes Back'', Yoda sends Luke into a cave that's a nexus of the Dark Side. There, Luke fights and kills a ghost of Darth Vader, then sees his own face under Vader's mask.** In ''StarWarsCloneWars'', Anakin's mission to rescue the Nelvaan warriors led him into a cave where geothermal gases [[MushroomSamba caused him to hallucinate]]. His hallucination symbolically foreshadowed his transformation into Darth Vader.*** Lampshaded by the [[FantasyCounterpartCulture Nelvaan]].*** Anakin was an unusual case since he encountered his Trial ''after'' he had been promoted to Jedi Knight. One of the Jedi Masters protested his promotion for this reason, but he was outvoted.** The final arc of ''StarWarsTheCloneWars'' has Yoda embarking on a spiritual quest to begin his training in how to become a Force ghost after death.* TerrenceMalick's ''TheTreeOfLife'' lies somewhere between this and an existential crisis.* Averted in ''Film/VisionQuest'' where nobody even once went on one.* In ''{{Inception}}'', the [[DreamWeaver Dream Weavers]] create a custom dream for a business heir that includes telling him he's on a Vision Quest to come to term with his relationship with his late father. However, the whole thing is orchestrated including the epiphany at the ending that consists of a fake representation of his subconsciousness in the form of his father that tells him that his father never wanted him to be as greedy and power hungry as he had become and that after his death his monopoly should be split up. When the heir wakes, the dream will fade, but the faked epiphany remains, influencing all his future business decisions.

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]* The TropeCodifier may be the works of [[http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/03/24/fake-carlos-castaneda-24168 fake new-age spiritualist]] and [[http://www.salon.com/2007/04/12/castaneda/ all-around cult huckster]] Carlos Castaneda; many comic versions are direct parodies of him.** Castaneda himself being the indigenous [[WordOfDante Dante]].* Nick Black Elk's ''Literature/BlackElkSpeaks'' was the first book to describe the actual vision quest sacrament. Published in 1932 and reprinted many times, it was a college campus favorite long before ''Teachings of Don Juan'' appeared in 1968.* In Frank Herbert's ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'', meeting one's spiritual ''Gom Jabbar'' is something like this.* In Creator/GrahamMcNeill's TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}} HorusHeresy novel ''False Gods'', Horus finds himself on a vision quest, where wolves force him to remember who he is and a DeadPersonConversation [[spoiler:with an impersonator (also dead)]] lures him with [[DreamingOfThingsToCome a vision of the future]].* Similar to the ''StarWars'' example in the Film section, ''Literature/TheLookingGlassWars'' features the "Crystal Maze," a sort of PsychologicalTormentZone which princesses must endure to prove that they have enough strength and endurance to become queen.* In ''Literature/TheChangeover'', the main character, Laura Chant undergoes one of these to facilitate her transformation, or [[TitleDrop changeover]].* Daire and all other ''Literature/SoulSeekers'' must go through one.* Space age version in the short story [[Literature/{{Paradox}} The Elements of Freedom]], a seismologist, in order to convince a technologically regressed tribe that her warnings of an earthquake are sincere and not a "Star Fallen" attempt to steal their land, goes on a vision quest that involves inhaling some unknown drug. [[spoiler: She confronts her doubts about her choice of career, and her totem animal leaves physical wounds that convince the tribe, and she joins them.]]

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]* Dr Franklin in ''Series/BabylonFive'' goes on one of these as part of his efforts [[spoiler:to break his addiction to stims.]] It was actually a Walk About, something different. While it is a journey of self discovery it does not involve the hallucinations or spiritual guide/discovery that a Vision Quest does. Rather it's an aimless wandering which is meant to reveal something about oneself by leaving behind your life and by analyzing destination you ultimately end up at. [[spoiler: However, after being stabbed, Franklin ''does'' hallucinate a version of himself that gives him an epic TheReasonYouSuckSpeech, forcing/inspiring Franklin to fight for survival rather than give up and bleed out.]]* Thad Castle goes on a vision quest in the ''Series/BlueMountainState'' episode "Vision Quest" in order to decide whether to remain at Blue Mountain State another year or to go pro. Subverted when [[spoiler: the vision quest tells him to stay at Blue Mountain State and remain true to his heart, but he decides to go pro because the guys on the team at BMS "were all dicks to me anyway".]]* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. Giles takes Buffy on a drive out into the desert in "Intervention". Buffy is not impressed when the ritual resembles the hokey-pokey and her SpiritAdvisor -- the First Slayer -- informs her that [[ArcWords "Death is your gift."]] In Season 7 Giles takes the Potentials on the same quest, and Buffy's attitude doesn't help things.-->'''Giles:''' Do you think they appreciate the gravity of what we're undertaking? It's frightening, and it's difficult. And then, apparently, ''someone'' told them that the vision quest consists of me driving them to the desert, doing the hokey pokey until a spooky Rasta-mama Slayer arrives and speaks to them in riddles. (looks at Buffy)-->'''Buffy:''' That's not exactly how I put it...* Leo and Phoebe in ''Series/{{Charmed}}'' underwent vision quests of their own. Of course, Leo's was closer to the actual definition of a vision quest. Phoebe's was a message that she must have babies.* Locke goes all vision-questy in the ''Series/{{Lost}}'' episode "Further Instructions." Not to mention that he ended up on the island after trying to go on an Australian Outback walkabout, only to find himself on a deeper spiritual journey.* Mac experiences one in the ''Series/MacGyver'' episode "Trail of Tears".* Tommy Oliver has to go on one to get his head straightened out in ''Series/PowerRangersZeo''. The spirit animal he has to follow is a falcon, which makes sense because that's the animal spirit his Ninja powers were drawn from.* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''. The Dax symbionts (Ezri and Jadzia) do something similar when they communicate with their past hosts.** Lampshaded in ''You are Cordialy Invited''. Worf leads his four groomsmen on the path to Kal'Hyah, which is a [[MachoMasochism very Klingon wedding ritual]]. In the midst of hanging from the ceiling over hot coals, Julian says, "I have had a vision...I am going to kill Worf". O'Brien, hanging with him, agrees it is a good vision at the moment.* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'':** Chakotay does this about once per season, or [[MagicalNativeAmerican helps someone else]] to do so.*** Hilarious because you can imagine him [[AwesomeButImpractical having the pre-vision sweat onboard a starship]].** B'Elanna also does this when she travels to Klingon Hell and meets her mother.

[[AC:TabletopGames]]* The Lunars in ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'' have a Charm that actually allows them to make ''some'' sense out of [[RealityIsOutToLunch the Wyld]] -- they read the flow of chaos there in order to gain insight. The process is described in the general tone of a vision quest.* In ''TabletopGame/MageTheAscension'' the player character have to go through one to gain a level of magical power.* In ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'', it's the most efficient mean for a Shaman or Mage to improve their magical power and gain metamagical powers.

[[AC:VideoGames]]* One of the ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' online flash game had Aang meeting some of his former incarnations in order to regain his power.* Tauren characters in ''Videogame/WorldOfWarcraft'' get a quest like this during the lower levels, although it pretty much boils down to following a ghost wolf to your next quest objective. (You aren't even required to follow it, as long as you know where you're supposed to go next.)** Vision quests pop up occasionally after this, usually when dealing with shaman or druid quest-givers. Most often the quests involve gathering reagents to perform the ritual and reacting to the vision's contents.* Hakumen's story mode in ''Videogame/BlazBlueCalamityTrigger'' details the Vision Quest he had to undertake to escape from the pocket dimension he was sealed in and return to reality. Complete with fighting [[spoiler:Jin Kisaragi]] as a manifestation of his past sins.* In ''VideoGame/SoulHackers'', which is influenced by Native American mythology, Kinap sends the protagonist on Vision Quests. Although they are really more of an example of AnotherMansTerror.

[[AC:{{Webcomics}}]]* Subverted in ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick''. After his vision of Lord Shojo, Belkar remains as [[StupidEvil bloodthirsty]] as ever, but he's learned to fake morality and character growth to draw attention away from himself. But even a fake CharacterDevelopment can [[BecomingTheMask become real...]]* Parodied in [[http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1352 this]] ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'' strip.* The "Wayang Kulit" arc from ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' does this for Torg, Kiki, and Bun-Bun, complete with an ArtShift to a darker pallet and plenty of MindRape elements.* Shelly of ''Webcomic/WapsiSquare'' went on a vision quest as an important part of her backstory. She found a good deal more than what she expected, and ended up in over her head.

[[AC: WebOriginal]]* The ''Literature/HitherbyDragons'' story "The bridge" involves a character going on a spirit quest. She's rather surprised to find her spirit animal is a [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pikachu]].* The web serial [[http://stonesoulserial.blogspot.com/ Stone Soul Saga]] extensively features vision quests. A fictious religion known as the "Thunderkin" regularly use vision quests similar to the original Native American version of the concept. One of the main characters, Olav, has his vision quest done focused on heavily. In addition, the creatures known as "Skraeling" can voyage Within. This is a sort of meditation technique very similar to a vision quest.

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]* A character does this in ''WesternAnimation/ExoSquad''.* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', in the MushroomSamba chapter "El viaje misterioso de nuestro Homer", has Homer going in one of such journeys after eating the Merciless Peppers of Quetzaltenango.** Homer experiences another VisionQuest (of a more traditional variety) during TheMovie.* Mocked mercilessly in ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' when Native Americans are trying to buy out the town to build casinos and Stan has to unlock his 'Magical Middle Class White Guy' abilities. He basically gets high on meth.* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy''.* A version similar to the Simpsons example above happens to WesternAnimation/TheTick when knocked into orbit.* The Water Tribe in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' are Inuit-based but extremely pragmatic; Sokka even appears to be an skeptic-atheist to start. Aang goes on several vision quest things to the spirit world to get advice and sort out wrongs. Zuko goes on one from his bed while sick with fever; it doesn't immediately equal a HeelFaceTurn, but it does pin down his soul on the 'good' side, even if he doesn't realize it right away. Though his character development is actually pretty independent of this, it's all symbolic. Given this spirit stuff is actually real in universe, one must wonder whether, had the blue dragon won him, the person we know as Zuko would somehow have been able to make his peace with Ozai's Fire Nation after [[CharacterDevelopment everything he'd seen and done]]. Not that he'd have survived long.* Brock Samson went on a Castenada-influenced Vision Quest (along with Dr. Orpheus and his mystical crew) in ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' episode "íViva los Muertos!"* On ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'', John Redcorn takes Joseph on a Native American vision quest as a rite of passage. Joseph's father Dale tags along just for the hell of it. Joseph does not get any visions, but Dale does. He sees his wife having sex with a man in an elaborate Native American headdress, and then flashes forward to the day of Joseph's birth, where Joseph is wearing the exact same headdress. Joseph, of course, is a very obvious ChocolateBaby whose actual father is John Redcorn, and both the audience and characters (except for Dale and Joseph himself) are well aware of this. You'd think this would be the moment Dale finally realizes that his wife has been unfaithful to him, but instead [[WhatAnIdiot he comes to the conclusion that he must be Native American himself]].----